Burns 70% of burn injuries occur in the home

Prevention Smoke alarms Candles (xmas) Pan placement on stoves Fire extinguisher Care around flammable products – (gasoline, kerosene) Nephew Appliances off Fireplace and wood stoves inspected

Practice A Family Fire Drill Ladder for upstairs Baseball bat for windows Stickers on windows Plan an alternate escape route Meet outside at a designated place

House Fire Scenario You are in a bedroom, the door is closed, what do you do?

House Fire Scenario Drop to hands and knees (more toxic next to the floor) Crawl to door – Feel door, knob If hot, do not open Most deaths are from smoke inhalation

Burns Thermal Chemical Electrical

Thermal Burns Caused by : – Flames – Hot objects – Flammable vapor that ignites – Steam or hot liquid (baby in Texas)

Thermal Burns: What To Do Stop Drop Roll

Thermal Burns: What To Do #2 Remove smoldering, hot, or burned clothing Do not remove “stuck” clothing Remove jewelry if possible (necklace burn)

Thermal Burns: What To Do Make quick assessment – Check ABC’s It is appropriate to consider the following but don’t waste time – Determine depth of burn – Determine extent of burn (rule of 9’s Head = 9% (18% child & infant) One hand and arm = 9% Each leg = 18 % (14% child and infant) Front torso = 18% (9% upper half, 9% lower half) Back torso = 18% (9% upper half, 9% lower half)

Thermal Burns: What To Do Rule of palm = 1% – Use for scatter burns See physician for burns to face, hands, feet or genitals Circumferential burn? See physician Does victim have other medical problems?

Chemical Burns Caused by: – Acids (batteries) – Alkalis (drain cleaners- often more extensive) – Organic compounds (oil products)

Chemical Burns If substance is dry: – Brush off before rinsing with water – Protect yourself After brushing off chemical, or after exposure to liquid chemical: – Rinse with water for 20/30 minutes or longer – Remove contaminated clothing while flushing with water – Final rinse? Use soap Burn may develop slowly

Chemical Burns #2 Call poison control Cover with dry sterile dressing Do not try to neutralize a chemical – (save label) Seek medical attention for all chemical burns

Electrical Burns Prevention: – Outlet covers – Breakers – Gadget for checking power – Excessive number of power cords plugged in

Electrical Burns External burns may not be present May induce: – ventricular fibrillation (cardiac problems) – Respiration problems “Freeze” due to muscle spasms

Electrocution – Electricity travels along nerves and vessels – Exits body where it is in contact with ground – May have several exit sites Surface injury may be “tip of the ice berg”

Car Accident Involving Power Line What should you do first? Should you remove victim from the vehicle? What if you feel tingling in your legs? Should you try to remove downed wires or poles? (buried power line)

Someone Has Made Contact with Power Inside Your House What would you do first? Then : – Check ABC’s – Treat for shock – Seek medical attention

What to do for Electrical Burns Once the power is off, Check ABC’s Spinal injury from fall? Treat for shock Most are 3 rd degree – Cover with sterile dressing, elevate body part – Seek medical attention (burn center) – (combine / lift)

Degree of Burns First-degree (superficial) Second-degree (partial thickness) Third-degree (full thickness)

First Degree Burns (superficial) Affects outer layer of skin Redness, swelling, tenderness, pain Usually heals without scarring

Care of First-Degree Burns Immerse in cold water (or other cold fluids or use cold, wet, cloths) – At least 10 minutes – Do not apply cold on burn covering >20% of the body Aspirin or ibpuprofen Acetaminophen will not reduce inflammation Bacitracin (no other OTC products) – Aloe vera, moisturizer lotion – Dressing? Drink plenty of water Protect burn from friction or pressure

Second Degree Burns (partial thickness) Extends into the inner layer of skin Blisters, swelling, weeping, severe pain

Care of Second Degree Burns Immerse in cold water / wet pack Aspirin or ibuprofen Drink plenty of water Apply bacitracin or Silvedene (do not use home remedies) Cover burn with non-sticking dressing If burn is extensive: – Treat for shock / seek medical attention Do not break blisters Hot tar on lip Medical help required: 10% of adult burned, 5% child

Third Degree Burns Extends through skin, muscle and bone -Nerve endings are destroyed Discoloration Area larger than a half- dollar requires tissue removal and grafting to properly heal

Care of Third Degree Burns Usually not necessary to apply cold to areas of third degree If more than 20% of body is burned, do not immerse Do not apply ointments Apply sterile, non-stick dressings (do not use plastic) Check ABC’s Treat for shock Medical help – (radiator burn)

Sunburn Usually 1 st degree, sometimes 2 nd degree Cool compresses Drink plenty of fluids Fever / chills Use lotions, bacitracin (lake, snow skiing, lips, ears) Prevention: – Sunscreen: SPF 30 has only 3% > protection than SPF 15 Skin cancer

Respiratory Tract Burns All must receive medical care Nose to trachea receives brunt of the burn Swelling may appear in 2 to 24 hours Chlorine – Add to water Wall paper removers Bathroom cleaning agents (chemistry set) – Use products in well ventilated area – Don’t mix ammonia and bleach Toilet bowl flushes

Other Moderate to Severe Burns Requiring Medical Care Under 5 years old / over 55 Breathing difficulties Other injuries Electrical injury Suspected child abuse (teacher liability) 2 nd degree >10% of body Third degree